I really hope you find everyone you're looking for! I lived in Iwate-ken from 2006-8, in Morioka-shi, which thankfully wasn't really affected. One of my best friends lived in Kamaishi and taught in Kamaishi and Ofunato, both of which were heavily damaged. She's since returned to the US but is having a hard time getting a hold of anyone. I've cried almost every day reading the news since it happened, and I've been worried sick about my boyfriend, even though he's in Tokyo (I'm working in Shanghai atm). It's so hard to wait and not know. I don't have contact info for all the people I knew and worked with when I was there, I've contacted those I do and everyone is fine so far.

My heart goes out to all the people in beautiful Tohoku who were affected by this situation. I can't wait to go back this summer. がんばって、みんなさん。<3